ELIXIR-UK awarded BBSRC funding to deepen member engagement and support UK life sciences data community

ELIXIR-UK has been awarded a five-year grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The new investment will enable the UK Node of ELIXIR to expand its engagement and support across its national network, ensuring individuals and institutions benefit fully from their membership.

The funding represents a strategic commitment to strengthening the UK’s digital research infrastructure by empowering the people who underpin it – from researchers and technical professionals to data stewards and service providers.

Deepening engagement with UK institutions

With this award, ELIXIR-UK will deliver an ambitious programme of regional outreach, tailored engagement activities and targeted funding support. This work will focus on enabling meaningful participation from all 28 member organisations, connecting individuals to ELIXIR’s resources, expertise and European collaboration opportunities,  and amplifying the impact of UK contributions.

Over the next five years, ELIXIR-UK will:

• carry out in-person visits across the UK to share opportunities to build connections and understand institutional priorities;
• provide flexible bursaries and travel support to help researchers and technical staff access training, events and staff exchanges;
• and support local leaders through an Ambassadors Programme, enabling community-led events and training across the Node.

Neil Hall, ELIXIR-UK Head of Node, said:
“This grant allows us to invest in the people and places that make the UK’s life science data ecosystem globally recognised. Our goal is to ensure that all member organisations – and the individuals within them – are supported, connected and visible across ELIXIR and beyond.”

A key focus of the new programme will be to lower barriers to participation, particularly for early-career staff and those in underrepresented roles such as data stewards and other technical support staff. Opportunities supported through the funding include staff exchanges, travel bursaries and local outreach.

Strengthening UK leadership in life sciences data

This funding strengthens ELIXIR-UK’s role as a connector, enabler and advocate for the UK’s life science data community, building on its existing contributions to research data management, the FAIR principles and European research infrastructure development.

The award also reflects BBSRC’s continued support for enabling world-class life science research, aligning with wider UKRI priorities for digital research infrastructure, data-driven science, and upskilling.

Tim Shuttleworth, BBSRC Head of Research Infrastructure, said:
“ELIXIR UK is an integral part of the UK’s digital research infrastructure ecosystem. This award will enable ELIXIR UK to expand its reach across its communities, fostering a culture of collaboration and co-creation in data-driven research that will accelerate discovery across the life sciences and beyond.”